Welcome to our newsletter, HACC Yeah!® News
Greetings, HACC supporters!
We will continue to share relevant information and keep you “in the know” as we serve and support students at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College.
We’re grateful for your continued engagement and partnership as we work together to expand opportunity and strengthen our community.
Please contact foundation@hacc.edu if you have any questions or need additional information.
Thank you!
More than 550 of the 1,137 students eligible to graduate in spring and summer 2026 were recognized during the Commencement ceremony for HACC on May 6, 2026. The event also marked the final Commencement ceremony for HACC President and CEO John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D, who is retiring from the College on June 2, 2026.
To read more about HACC’s spring 2026 Commencement ceremony, please visit our online newsroom.
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, partners with employers and organizations
to support employee and community member success through HACCpplication Days.
These in-person and virtual events provide admissions application support for employees, students, clients and stakeholders interested in earning a HACC credential. HACC admissions professionals assist participants in completing the application on the spot, making the process more accessible, convenient and supportive.
Through this initiative, organizations can invest in workforce development, employee advancement and long-term career growth through certificates, degrees and other academic pathways.
To learn more about HACCpplication Days, please visit our FAQs page.
At HACC, our students and their success remain our top priority.
As part of our 2026-27 budget announcement, the College indicated that we are restructuring and sunsetting some academic programs.
In fall 2027, HACC will offer new meta majors as part of our strategic growth plan to embrace emerging educational models, making it easier for HACC students to transfer to and from four-year institutions.
Please visit this webpage to learn more.
HACC is proud to announce that two students in the Massage Therapy Program received medals at the 2026 Pennsylvania Massage Championship.
Joshua Green and Gabriel Nimala’s exceptional performance earned them the title of Pennsylvania Emergent Massage Therapist, with Green receiving the gold medal and Nimala receiving bronze.
To learn more, please visit our online newsroom.
Linnie S. Carter, Ph.D., APR, the vice president of college advancement at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, and the executive director of the HACC Foundation, will retire from the College on July 3, 2026. Dr. Carter has served the College and Foundation in an exemplary manner for more than 14 years.
Following Dr. Carter’s retirement, Tom Mesko, the executive director of philanthropy, will be the primary point of contact for HACC Foundation donors until Dr. Carter’s successor is named. Tom has been a member of Dr. Carter’s team for nearly three years and can be reached at foundation@hacc.edu.
Serving our donors will remain a top priority during this time of transition. We appreciate and thank them for investing in HACC students.
HACC Foundation donors provided funding for a project to expand Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR training resources for nursing students and workforce programs. With the addition of four Little Anne CPR manikins, HACC can now offer more in-house certification opportunities, reducing the need for students to seek training from outside vendors.
This initiative addressed previous overcapacity challenges and supports the growing number of nursing students who require CPR certification every two years. Funding also supported faculty training, instructional resources and scheduling coordination, allowing the Public Safety Center to deliver more accessible and efficient training across HACC’s campuses.
As a result, students benefit from reduced costs, improved access to timely certification and fewer delays in program progression. With an expected lifespan of at least 10 years, the manikins enhance the student experience, support long-term program growth and provide modest revenue generation for the College.
HACC Foundation donors provided funding for a sabbatical project focused on studying Teaching and Learning Centers (TLCs) in higher education to strengthen HACC’s newly launched center. Through research, collaboration with peer institutions and analysis of faculty development practices, the project identified effective strategies to enhance teaching and learning across the College.
The initiative supports faculty by promoting modern, evidence-based teaching practices that improve student engagement, comprehension and retention. While the impact on students is indirect, it is meaningful, resulting in stronger classroom experiences, clearer instruction and more inclusive learning environments.
This project also strengthens HACC by positioning the Teaching and Learning Center as a hub for instructional excellence and innovation. The findings and recommendations will continue to guide faculty development efforts, making this a sustainable investment in both teaching quality and long-term student success.
On June 2, 2026, John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D., the longest-serving president in HACC’s history, will retire after almost 15 years of dedicated service to the HACC community.
In recognition of their commitment to student success, Dr. Ski and Mr. Perrault established the John J. "SKI" Sygielski and Steve Perrault Scholarship Endowment. Their intent was to support students with unmet financial needs and make an impact within the college’s service regions with the lowest education attainment rates and highest unemployment rates.
Please consider supporting the John J. "SKI" Sygielski and Steve Perrault Scholarship Endowment to help ensure their legacy will continue to transform lives for HACC students.
To make a tax-deductible contribution, please visit this webpage:
https://fundraising.idonate.com/the-hacc-foundation/JohnJSKISygielskiandStevePerrault
Thank you!
We invite you to join the Alumni Committee – a unique way to give back, stay connected and make a lasting impact.
By sharing your ideas and helping with events, you play a key role in shaping programs that benefit both students and alumni and strengthen the HACC community. Committee members connect with fellow alumni, collaborate on initiatives and stay informed about HACC developments. Serving on the committee allows you to celebrate the accomplishments of HACC graduates, contribute to the growth of alumni networks and leave a lasting impact on the College and its community.
For more information and to complete the application, please visit:
HACC is proud to recognize the accomplishments of its alumni and the impact they are making in their careers and communities.
Kellen Johnson
Kellen Johnson serves as director of commercial banking services for the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union. A 2019 graduate of Leadership Harrisburg Area’s Community Leadership Series, he has continued his involvement as an alumni advisor and mentor, board member and executive board member. Johnson volunteers as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters through the Beyond School Walls program and with the Salvation Army of Harrisburg.
He has also volunteered with the Rutherford Youth Club and Junior Achievement of South-Central PA, participated in the “100 Men Greeting” initiative and served on the board of Potential Reentry Opportunities in Business & Education. He is also a recipient of the Central Penn Business Journal’s Leaders in Business and Finance award, recognizing financial professionals for outstanding contributions, achievement and community involvement in Central Pennsylvania.
Kathleen Lucy
Kathleen Lucy serves as a therapeutic recreation assistant and certified dementia practitioner at Homewood Living Plumcreek. A proud alumna of HACC, she has demonstrated dedication and excellence in her field. Her achievements serve as an inspiration to fellow graduates and current students, highlighting the impact HACC alumni continue to make in their communities.
HACC celebrates the success of its alumni and the positive contributions they continue to bring to their professions and communities.
HACC yeah!
We encourage you to join HACC’s Alumni Association and AAA Central Penn for an epic bus trip in the fall.
For full details, including how to register, please visit hacc.edu/Alumni/UpcomingTrips. This unforgettable experience benefits HACC students, so please help us spread the word.
You are invited to participate in the exciting HACC events we have coming up.
Please visit the HACC Events Calendar for more information. We will see you there!
Are you #HACCproud to be a graduate of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College? If so, we are proud to have you as a member of the HACC Alumni Association. To join the Alumni Association or update your contact information, please complete this form. Thank you!
Do you love HACC? Do you want everyone to know it? HACC yeah you do!
Please share your story with us and help others see what makes HACC so great!
We want to hear about how HACC has impacted your life and the people who helped you on your path to success.
It only takes a few minutes to share your story, but taking the time to share your experience can have a lasting impact on someone else, including future students who may be considering HACC. Don’t be shy!
Please:
Go to hacc.edu/Stories
Complete our brief online form (if you are a current HACC student)
Scroll down to the bottom of the page (if you are a HACC supporter, including an alumni or donor) and find the category that fits you
Share your HACC story with us
Note that your information may be shared in a variety of ways, including on HACC’s website and social media channels
